Easy Steps to Clear Clutter

Dear Molly,

Don’t worry, summer cleaning is just as important as spring cleaning. You’re not alone in your feeling of overwhelm. Most people overestimate how long a dreaded task will take.

Set a timer. To get restarted, try setting a timer for fifteen minutes and see what you can accomplish. Pick a closet or a room, set the timer, then get to work. Have a garbage bag and a donation bag on hand. When the timer goes off, stop and return another day. At least you will have made a dent in your project and feel good that you’ve gotten started…again. Now, go ahead and pat yourself on the back.

I’m going to be optimistic and assume that in several short intervals, you’re going to declutter your space. Now, let’s take a look at how you can keep it that way.

Be ruthless about what you allow into your home. Ask yourself: Do I have space for this? Where will I put it? Will it add value to my life?

If you choose to save every birthday card, for example, it will detract from the one that is truly meaningful. Is there room in the drawer for that new kitchen gadget that caught your eye on Amazon?

Donate proudly (and often). If you haven’t worn an item of clothing in the last year, you’re probably not going to wear it, but someone else might enjoy wearing it weekly. My family has “outgrown” the panini press I bought long ago when we had lots of grandkids visiting. I’m going to pass it on to another family.

Donating will not only help you clean out your space, it will make you feel good. According to the World Happiness Report, altruistic behaviors are consistently associated with high life satisfaction and emotional well-being.

Put systems in place. When you pick up the daily mail, process it standing up. Open the envelopes, throw away what you don’t want, read what needs to be read, and only keep what’s important, like a medical bill you need to pay. Better yet, pay that bill immediately.

Have a basket for shoes by the door (if your family removes their shoes when entering), a basket for the TV remote and your reading glasses, a hook by the door for your keys, and a hook or nook for your purse/wallet. If you don’t have space for books, give away the ones you’ve read to friends, The Bargain Basket, or little libraries. Our local public library happily takes book donations, especially newer releases, so check with the library nearest you.

Focus on what you will gain. Shira Gill, author of LifeStyled, suggests you focus on what you’re gaining (space, ease, time) instead of what you’re giving up (stuff). This change of attitude can help you part with things.

For instance, editing your clothes closet and donating what you don’t want to charity will get you a neater closet where there’s ease in finding things and less confusion about what to wear.

Matching organizers. Gill also suggests buying matching organizers. The repetition of design you obtain by using matching bins or baskets is soothing rather than a hodgepodge of containers. Less visual noise for your brain to process, and according to Gill, they will look a million times nicer.

Congratulate yourself on that medicine cabinet and move on to the cupboard underneath the sink or the linen closet. I advise leaving boxes of old photos and videos to the end. In most people’s experience, they are the most challenging.